Homes England should have stronger relationships with councils, review says
Homes England should have "even stronger relationships" with local government in order to boost housing delivery, a Government review of the non-departmental body has found.
The overall conclusion of the review carried out by the Cabinet Office was that "England and the government need Homes England" and that the body has the "right powers and form, and most of the capability and tools to deliver better housing and better places".
However, it also set out more than 30 recommendations, including one which called on Homes England to change the way it operates in order to partner effectively with local authorities and respond well to government's place priorities.
To achieve this, it recommended the agency continue to develop its operating model to focus more staff on place, have even stronger relationships with local authorities, and maintain its capability to respond to developing ministerial place priorities.
Homes England was founded in 2018 and funds housing delivery, regeneration and placemaking in challenging areas of the housing market.
The review said that over the last five years, the body has supported the development of 186,413 new homes, unlocked land that could deliver a further 392,000, helped 252,543 households into home ownership and invested £11.1 billion in the sector.
It made 34 recommendations in total relating to funding of the body, efficacy, devolution, governance, value for money and risk management.
On devolution, the review recommended that Homes England should define clear outcome objectives for regeneration and placemaking in areas were building homes is a priority, "working closely with local authority leadership".
The review also highlighted a "general shortage of capability" in regeneration and placemaking across local government and recommended that DLUHC consider whether further steps are needed to help tackle the shortage.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said: "This review highlights the good work already underway at Homes England. I also note the recommendations it makes on how the government and its housing and regeneration agency can work together to deliver the challenges we have set ourselves.
"Implementing the recommendations will be crucial, requiring continued close cooperation between the department and Homes England."
Peter Denton, Homes England Chief Executive, added: "The report makes clear we have a crucial role to play in catalysing local regeneration and housing delivery by using our land, powers, funding and expertise - reducing risk to drive investment and harnessing the potential of private and public sector skills, capital and partnerships. Bringing all of these elements together means we are greater than the sum of our parts as a collective force to deliver effective change.
"Place-based work is central to this mission and well underway in numerous places, from Bradford, Bristol and Birmingham to Newcastle, Liverpool and Plymouth. By 2025 we expect to have entered into six strategic place partnerships with combined authorities, serving a combined population of more than 13 million people."
Adam Carey
